「외필(猥筆)」의 외침 ―기사(騎士)는 죽었는가?―

Abstract

Eopil is the work of Ki Jeong-jin(奇正鎭) in his old age. This work caused one of the 20th century Korean Neo-Confucianism controversies. It can be called a 'Eopil controversy.' This paper looks at the philosophical nature of Eopil in three ways. First, we look at this as an example of the dichotomy between the Juli(主理)/Juki(主氣) in the history of studying abroad in the Joseon Dynasty. According to this, Eopil is intended to establish the third example of "Juli" by claiming that Yi Yi(李珥)'s Neo-Confucianism is Neo-Confucianism revolving around Li(理). Second, we look at Eopil in terms of the Neo-Confucian style of thought. Eopil inherited Yi Yi's schematic reasons. By reversing the relationship between Li and Ki(氣) as the contents of the vessel, it is reconstructed around Li. Meanwhile, Eopil partially embraces the idea of the Yi Hwang(李滉) to introduce power to Li. It maintains a distance from him in that it maintains the principle of 'Li by no action' until the end. The reason for the Neo-Confucianism shown in Eopil is based on the original mix of Yi Hwang and Yi Yi. Finally, what is the significance of the times in Eopil? This book reminded the scholars of Joseon that they themselves were jockeys on top of the historical structure of Joseon. Amid historical fluctuations in the late 19th century, scholars expressed in terms of Neo-Confucianism that they should do something for their country.